1) One’s personal experience are often not translatable because when one doesn’t know all the details that matter, one doesn’t realize that your own injury may be far different from one someone else suffered, even if it SOUNDS the same the details matter bigtime.

2) When we hear of a sports injury it is often very sketchily reported. Details are missing and on some occasions, we simply do not know the type of injury at all, like in this case. It was initially reported he had an open fracture with serious blood loss and immediate open reduction surgery; now Joba is saying he had no fracture at all, but a closed subtalar dislocation. To put it mildly this is a far different injury than the tib-fib fracture I believe you are describing in yourself (BTW do you mean compound as in open, or do you mean comminuted, or both?)

By the way, my sympathies to you–best of luck on continued recovery; as I had said above, tib-fib fractures tend to have some trouble healing, and I recall a colleague in his 20’s with this type of fracture who was in external fixation for practically a year and the recovery was very protracted.

He is now totally denying the initial reports I heard RE: compound (open) fracture, and in fact fracture of any sort– He is now saying he had merely a subtalar dislocation.

This is totally different–really more of a hindfoot than an ankle injury and involves rupture of different ligaments connecting the talus and calcaneus. Sounds like this one did not require open reduction (surgery), and without associated fracture, putting it in a better category.

I just realized after posting that we haven’t been told exactly which bone(s) were broken. Obviously this will affect the prognosis:

A simple noncomminuted distal FIBULAR fracture is a whole lot better than a comminuted fracture of the TIBIA and fibula, particularly with intra-articular involvement, which tend not to heal as well, especially with obvious arterial damage…

And sorry for the typo–the thirr major artery is the ANTERIOR tibial (not “interior”).

COMPOUND FRACTURE: Older term for a fracture in which one of the fragments penetrates the skin (thus introducing risk of infection). The newer term is “Open fracture”. I think they discontinued “Compound” because it confused people into thinking it had to do with the complexity of the fracture, which it doesn’t. Closed fractures don’t penetrate the skin.

COMMINUTED fracture: This refers to a fracture in which the bone is in several pieces; I think it is this that people used to confuse “compound” with.

DISLOCATION: This refers to loss of integrity of a JOINT. One can have dislocation without a fracture, and fracture without a joint dislocation. Though in the case of an ankle dislocation, it rarely occurs without a fracture, because the joint ligaments and interosseous membrane of the lower leg are very strong, and are very rarely disrupted without sufficient force to break at least one involved bone.

DISPLACEMENT: This refers to distance between the fracture fragments and doesn’t really have anything to do with joint dislocation. Obviously there was significant displacement of Joba’s fracture, because one of the fragments went through the skin (Open, or Compound).
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Blood loss: We are told he had “significant blood loss” and “profuse bleeding”, which strongly suggests one of the fracture fragments severed one of the three major arteries in the area–the peroneal artery, the posterior tibial artery, or less likely, the interior tibial artery.

Prognosis: As I ‘m not an orthopedist, I don’t know this, but there will be (A) Infection risk, which as you sports fans know, became a big issue with Barry Bonds’ knee, (B) Definitely some ligament damage. I speculate that if he doesn’t become infected, he will have a decent chance at a real recovery, because I’m not that cognizant of ankle injuries ending pitchers’ careers (please correct me on this any of you who can point out examples, or are orthopedic surgeons). Something like the kind of stuff Johan Santana went through will be much more serious as it’s his pitching shoulder, and he seems to be doing well. Elbow injuries of the sort Joba also has, of course, have a history of doing very well after surgery.

p.s. Glad he did this playing with his kid, as the media were ready to rip him to shreds for “lifestyle issues”. Totally unfair.

]]>By: 24missedhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/#comment-275012
Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:18:06 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-275012Edit:
I meant to add a special thanks, Cur, for your prof. med insight. Author, medicine man? Just what are you?
]]>By: 24missedhttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/#comment-275010
Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:12:42 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-275010Medical professionals, thank you for the explanation. I had used my Merck Manual and other medical research out there for the geeky research people like me, but ’twas perfectly explained. A sincere thank you. It really helps to get a grasp on the actual medical situation and portrait that is being painted, in my eyes. So, thanks for teaching me something new today.

Sideline…so sorry for Joba. That completely blows. It happened and the past can’t be changed. I wish for his family a speedy recovery, as well as for Joba. That emotional roller-coaster has got to be a tough ride.

]]>By: uyf1950http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-3/#comment-274883
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:37:04 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274883For what it’s worth I just read an article on Yahoo Sports about Joba it’s an update that was posted about 30 minutes ago Noon ET March 24.

I’ve copied and pasted below one very interesting piece in the article and I quote:
“Chamberlain had surgery Thursday night. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound righty was working his way back from elbow ligament replacement surgery and was expected to return in June….”
the article went on to say “Chamberlain also told Cashman he could be back on a mound by July. Cashman did not have the results Saturday morning on Chamberlain’s MRI exam and CT scan, which were done on Friday.”

“That’s what he told me the doctors are telling him,” Cashman said. “We’ll see. I don’t know. I’m just passing on what he said, and hopefully that’s all accurate. That’s the optimistic side. I don’t think anybody can tell anybody directly right now anything on that.”
“In January, Chamberlain agreed to a one-year contract for $1,675,000, up from $1.4 million last year. The deal was not guaranteed.”

]]>By: phillyfan21http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-3/#comment-274877
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:09:46 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274877In May 2011 I had an accident where I fell about 13ft and landed on my left leg crushing my ankle and causing a compound fracture of my tibula/fibula. They flew me by helicopter to the hospital because they thought I may have severed an artery. I had 3 operations to repair the ankle and leg, spent 3 weeks in the hospital and could not put any weight on it for 3 months. As of today I still walk with pain and a slight limp, my balance on my left leg is not great, I can not even attept to run. Arthritis is already setting in and fusing the ankle is a real possibility down the road. My range of motion is only at about 60%, this after months of rehab. His injury sounds very similar to mine and while I am older then him his recovery will be long and painful. I fear his career is in jeopardy. Such a shame!! I wish him luck and pray he can recovery fully.
]]>By: leftywildcathttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-3/#comment-274843
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 14:30:19 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274843While he should not have been on a trampoline for couple of reasons, it’s time to stop the fat jokes and pray for the man’s full recovery.

For the past couple of weeks, HBT unfortunately has been little more than a HB Injury Report.

]]>By: raysfan1http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-3/#comment-274798
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:31:28 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274798I agree with cur68, this is likely a career threatening injury. An open fracture/dislocation is very likely to result in post-traumatic arthritis. It is possible that he could have have the ankle fused. If so, he won’t have his normal range of motion and thus won’t be able to push off the rubber the way he normally does. Here’s praying for no osteomyelitis, no pulmonary emboli, or any other serious complication that could make his situation even worse.
]]>By: bigleagueshttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/#comment-274794
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 02:54:47 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274794Mike Francessa pronounces his name “Jobber” – which is appropriate.
]]>By: dondiego27http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-2/#comment-274788
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 02:03:00 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274788I hope he gets better quick….but, I do not feel sorry for him. An athlete has to care for his body on and off the field, during play season, and off season. Too many have lost the opportunity to acquire success and the incomes it can bring by being careless, no, reckless, during off time.
]]>By: jmig320http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-2/#comment-274783
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:43:45 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274783Thank God we don’t have video….seeing the video of joe theismann’s tib/fib injury is enough to make ya puke…
]]>By: jmig320http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-2/#comment-274782
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:37:19 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274782Those lower leg injuries can be particularly gruesome….especially open dislocations.

Jumping on a trampoline is about as innocuous an activity as you can engage in.

It’s not like he was skydiving or off-roading. He could have screwed his ankle up JOGGING, for god’s sake.

This is just a freak accident, and I feel bad for him. Never thought I’d say that as a Sox fan, but that just sucks, no two ways about it.

]]>By: jfk69http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-2/#comment-274762
Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:22:25 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274762First i wish Joba a healthful recovery. Two years ago a major leagie player hit a game winning homer,trotted around the bases and jumped on home plate and broke his ankle. Molina will try and play his first regular sesaon game this year. This is no joke and for a pitcher who needs his legs to be effective. This could be a career ender.
]]>By: pisanohttp://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-2/#comment-274753
Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:38:11 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274753File him under the Nick Johnson page, it’s one thing after another for Joba. I agree with two post on this matter, one, what in hell is he effing around on a trampoline for, kid or no kid, and two, I’d say he will never be the same physically again, and for a power pitcher your lower body is where you get your power. Joba, I’d look for another career.
]]>By: cur68http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-2/#comment-274749
Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:17:23 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274749‘Army, the balls on ‘0pizza to make that statement on this board, given how often he’s been knocked for being a total fucktard, defy description.

‘0pizza, you suck more than anything or anyone has ever sucked. Don’t for one second think that anyone who reads this board even semi-regularly believes you are anything other than a vulgar idiot. El Bravo’s got a better sense of humour on his worst day than you have on your best (and that includes even if your best day involves you volunteering to being stomped by circus clowns: which would be hilarious and oh so appropriate).

]]>By: poprox13http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2012/03/23/whoa-joba-chamberlains-life-was-in-danger-following-his-ankle-dislocation/comment-page-2/#comment-274735
Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:29:59 +0000http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=133341#comment-274735Wow, this story has a lot of ups and downs.
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